Hehe, today's rehearsal was slightly different at least for me... Cos the piano was included!!! And the pianist was Sofi!!! She plays 10x (or more) better than me and she's also a very nice person to talk to. Came to know that she always goes back to school to practise the piano even on a Sunday!! YES!!!! So great, I will join her every Sunday if I can!

Can't wait!!! She's really inspiring. Oh so that is one of my plans - to sneak into NAFA to practise piano. Hehehehe. (if you can see it, you can have it! Hehehe) Anyway, our orchestra will be performing next weekend during services. So watch out for her!

Eh sigh, went to shopping for clothes today and I'm now really convinced that...

I've grown FATTER!!!! Hahahahaha. More of me to love now! Hehehe.

But Bird, buffet is still on ok!!!!!! Lol. Haiya... Gotta devise some plans again. Lol... Now that I don't have to give tuition... Hmmm........ Hahaha.

~~~~~

Good old Blake
Sat by the lake
Eating his half-baked cake.

Lol. Wow... You think I have the potential to be a poet??? Lol... Waha, pardon me... Currently reading a book compilation of William Blake's poems... And trying very hard to understand. Haha. I have come to suspect that some poets don't even know what they are writing about. Lol. Or maybe it's simply too complicated for me...

Thee thou thine thy
Time to say goodbye!

Weekends are never enough for me. HELLo Monday. =P

The nicest thing that happened today was an impromptu meetup with Steph for dinner haha. Went to our very usual places again - the Esplanade Library and Marina Square food court.. Even sat at our usual seats.. LOL.. Must breakthrough man.. hahaha.

We talked about music... About our dreams!! 101 things we wanna do (on stage) and laughed about them... Lol.. But know that deep down inside we really wanna do (some of) them!!! Wahaha.. It was really funny la. I shall not reveal. Lol. But I always believe in the power of confession!! Hahaha..

And also she mentioned that I am being talked about quite often... "??!!" I was quite taken aback.. Anyway, now I have a new aim to work towards - to be my zone's keyboardist!!! A lot of things to work on since my niche is not in improvising... Mine always turns out horrible hahaha. Nevertheless, when I put my heart in it, things will only get better! (Saying that by faith haha)

So hmmm... I should start somewhere somehow right? Hahaha.. I actually have devised some plans which will definitely do my piano playing a lot of good. If things go my way, I will implement them by next month.

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:6

Hehe today has been great!

Prayer meeting was really really good! God was there and I'm sure He heard our prayers! I'm really excited about seeing our prayers coming to past!!

*Sing* We don't deserve of You what we ask...

But God will still give the best to us..

~~~~~~

Oh and today I had the honour to watch a pre-publicized drama production! It was by invitation only and hehe thanks Gary for asking. Lol, it was the funniest thing I've ever seen.. Lol.. That I laughed so hard I cried. LOL... It was titled "The Golden Years" and the gist of the story is how age should not be a limit and that senior citizens can still play a part in society.

Er ok.. It doesn't sound interesting right. LOL.. But yea you gotta see it to know hahaha...

Best take-away: Women nowadays don't like floppy disk, they prefer hard disk.

LOL..

Why can't people just leave me alone!!!!!!!
And why must I always be the one who give in!!!!!!!!

?????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Playing music is fun... It brings you into another world... But not when someone is BLASTING the tv!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Huuuu xiiiiii..... GOD PLEASE TEACH ME HOW TO BE MORE PATIENT UNDERSTANDING AND LOVING!!!! (I can't change the situation but I can change my attitude!! Wah.. LOL)

!!!!

Ok, anyway, ytd's piano lesson was quite hmmm... Bad? As in my performance.. My mind was quite shut off then.. Played quite sloppily and kept playing the wrong notes... Boooo...

"You don't understand the importance of SLOW practice..."
"You need to play louder..."
"The way you play the staccato is wrong..."

Hahahaha... Quite a few points to take home... Eh sigh... I was rushing to complete the song due to time constrain and my piano is too loud to play any louder!!! So I'm used to playing relatively gently... Boooo... She is always giving me new pieces to practise and now I have 3 pieces yet to be 'cleared'!! Another 1 I will put it on hold for the time being. This is quite mad... But THOU SHALL NOT GIVE EXCUSES!!!

Haha, anyway I always tell Steph I like NAFA's piano rooms or they call them studios? I'm not sure.. And she always gives me a are-you-crazy?! look.. LOL.. Hahaha.. Eh I'm serious lor. Though the room is tiny with just a piano but that's enough already!!! Imagine there's no one to disturb you!!! It's a luxury!! At least for me hahaha... And I won't have to disturb others too...

If only I have the money!!! I'd sound-proof a small part of my house!! And happily stay there!! Hahaha..

Hmmm.........

It's been a glorious week thus far!!!

Hahahaha.. Now I understand why people always refer their instruments as husbands/wifes!!! They have the ability to make you damn high and happy but at the same time can cause you much mental sufferings hahahaha.. And I can't keep my hands off them! Lol... And I can't stop thinking of them! And I wish I can be home with them all day!

Hehehehe. =)

Give me some time!!! I'm on my (long) way!!!

As much as I have progressed for the past months, I'm very much still an amatuer musician striving to improve every time I play... And I'm thankful to have a handful of people I can look up to! My teachers have been of tremendous help! And my fellow musician friends keep me motivated and encouraged!

I always pray for God to multiply my little talent! That I can use it for His glory! Amen!!

He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:30

Hi guys!!! I'm so excited and happy!!! Hahahaha...

It was such a glorious yesterday!!! LOL... Something I very much freaked out over turned out to be a small deal!!! Phew... (Thank you Bird for simmering me down!) and piano lesson was fantastic and fun!!! =)

I aim to complete a piece every week so gotta make use of every free time I have! That's why I love going home!!! Hehehehehe... Wish I can have a free day all to myself!! But sadly, that only happens when I'm sick. Hahaha.. But of course I'd rather be busy than sick hahahaha...

Anyway! You may wanna check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZ1_M_L_RSI (Billy Joel - Piano Man)

Chanced upon this few days ago and I've been listening to it ever since!!! I think Alice will like this, it's a combo of harmonica and piano!!! Hahaha... It's possible to play both together!!!

Sing us a song, you're the piano man!!
Sing us a song tonight!!
We're all in the mood for a melody!!
And you've got us feeling alright!!

Yay!

Is the army's condition that bad???

Someone in it told us that he hasn't heard the sound of laughter and music for a very long time! Until yesterday... All he hears every day are vulgarities and complaints... Goodness, get a life man...

There's a saying...

2 persons look out of a prison,
1 sees mud,
the other sees stars.

Of course I can't comment much since I haven't been and never will be in an army but what I do know is, our attitude and perspective make a hell lot of difference in our lives...

And we all have a freedom of choice... To choose to be grumpy or choose to be positive! It's all up to us...

Well, just a little thought and a reminder to myself as well hehehe...

"Show me how to love... Like You have loved me."

We all sang that. But have you realised how huge the implication is... It means to love someone undeserving of your love... Someone who breaks your heart again and again... who say words that hurt you...

It takes a lot of strength to sing that if you can digest it...

Aren't we all glad to have God as our perfect role model... He always does something before teaching us how to... Now that I have His love, I think it will be kinda selfish of me if I keep it all to myself haha. God, please show me how to love!!! Like you have loved me..

Anyway, to all the choir and orchestra members, you may wanna know a little more about the song 'Messiah'.. So that we can have a deeper understanding and not merely going through the motion of singing/playing just 'another' song..

This song was composed in 1741 by George Frederick Handel right after a battle through depression of which he depended greatly on God. He isolated himself for a good 23 days when he was composing that song... During which he was so moved by the biblical text and his love for God that friends found him sobbing with tears...

You will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:12-13

He said this about his experience in writing the chorus, "I did think I did see all Heaven before me and the great God Himself." So wow right... So let's do our best this Wednesday and sing/play as if God is going to appear!!! Haha... At least try!!!

That song is so majestic! I could hardly breathe!! Wednesday please come early! And may I play every note neatly...

Oh it's Friday already. It doesn't seem too long ago when I thought "Phew... Another long week ahead." Soon we will all be real ADULTS........... Haha. Whatever... Come what may.

Haha, it was quite funny today... A male friend of mine Haha... He went into a paroxysm of joy when he received a sms from a lady he fancies, accepting his invitation for a dinner. LOL... Goodness. That was my first time seeing a grown up guy jumping and laughing with exhilaration HAHAHAHA..... HAHA... The power of love... Wow... LOL....

Had piano lesson today and it was very fun. I really like it a lot... I'm only left with 2 more topics for theory... Thinking if I should chiong my Grade 6 as well... Exam's in March anyway... But I think my teacher will freak out... I don't know... After taking A level... I have more faith in other exams. Lol... Let's see how it goes...

She was really cute today but I could tell she was exhausted... She taught me again how to balance both hands so that the hand playing the accompaniment will not drown the melody line... After a few tries, I managed to get it and she was so happy!!! HAHAHA... Quite funny... She went "Yes yes!!" Lol... "You must persevere ok!" Lol... Cos that's the key to getting a distinction... Hahahaha she totally made my day until...

I received a call at 1130pm... All I heard was a sense of... Loneliness? Disappointment? Fear? I can't find the right word to use... Maybe it's a mixture of all... Hmmm...

Today's really interesting!!!!

Sofa's finally here!

Piano's finally tuned!! It took him a good 1.5 hours to tune!!! My piano's quite a challenge cos it hasn't been tuned for years... haha. It feels so much fresher now!! lol..

-

Went to Miss Clarity Cafe to celebrate dear Bird's birthday!!!

The menu!!! "Where happy people meet..." Hahaha

Xiao Niao and I! Look at the wall!!

Dear Cai!! Thanks for making your long way down!!!

Dennis! Why suddenly so shuai in this pic... Lol..

-

Birdy I love you! Happy 20! And I will still sing u a bird-day song when I'm 70 and toothless! HEHEHEHEHE... May your wishes come true! (So cliche!!!!!) LOL...

Hahaha goodness... I'm quite shy to say this... I'm actually watching Meteor Garden again!!!!!! LOL... Hahaha... Eh Lei is the most ultimate emo person ever. Even Xiao Ji loses to him... LOL.. And the theme song "Qing Fei De Yi" is really quite a sad one... Hmmm....

Anyway about the piano incident, I'm quite cool about it now... Every morning is a brand new day!!! I don't hold grudges for long hahahah. I think it makes one look like a WITCH!!! Hahaha. I've shifted my piano to another location further away from the TV, just in time for it to be tuned later!!

My tuition kids made my day!! Erm, Children's Day was last Monday but they only got their gifts today hehehehe... Upon receiving Vivian said "Waah so cute! Thankeww!" and Kelly also went 'Thankeww~' At that point, my heart melted a bit!! They sounded really sincere...

Hmmm, I think money shouldn't be the barrier that stops one from learning... And I think it shouldn't be the dominant motive for us to do things... Don't know if I'm unrealistic or what, but even if the parents can't afford to pay me regularly... I will still commit to them and finish the race together with them...

My schedule is quite tight and it kinda pissed me that some (only one actually) people become whiney and stuff... Acting clingy... When I have to cancel a dinner with him... It's damn suffocating. It was also my wrong for not "respecting" him and his time... But who can blame unforeseen changes!!!!! Hope my future bf is not excessively possessive!!! If not I will fleeeeee!!! (Nice try at rhyming... lol =P) Hahaha...

Gotta take it like a man
Steady and strong
Not a lot of fuss and carrying on...
- Michelle Wright "Take It Like A Man"

I hate people to be meddling with my stuff... Most of the time they end up being abused. This is the 3rd time in 2 days. First my keychain... then my bag... and now...

I just discovered that my bro put a hot mug on my piano... And there was a small 'puddle' of water at the base of the mug... DAMN......................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Soon my piano will be eaten up by termites. Great.

I really should just move my piano into my room... Why didn't I do that earlier!!!!!!!!!! Retarded!!!

I have been very patient already.......

I think this is the final straw......

Feel like crying...

I'm quite confused. Should I or should I not....... Hmmm...

My colleague has just asked if I wanna give her daughters piano lessons... I really don't mind. However... Sigh. I'd better not say anything provocative here... Hell knows who are reading. Let's see how the first month goes first... Hmmm... Some money is just not worth earning...

I think my vocab has deterioriated to a miserable state, limited to simply "good", "bad", "nice"... So much for subscribing to Doctor Dictionary, where I am supposed to learn a chim word daily... LOL.. Hahaha..

Hmm... I'm hungry.

Never once in my short history have I heard this.

Father: Go and play your piano.

!!! But then... It was because he wanted to use the com... But still... It was quite nice to hear. Hahaha...

Anyway, it's been a great week thus far. Days are passing by so quickly, I don't know if it's good or not... Went for a piano concert with Leon on Tue and sad to say, it was my first time watching a solely piano performance. He kept tickling my funny bone!!!! And I nearly audibly burst out laughing in the midst of a performance... That would be darn embarrassing. LOL! But you know me... I'm quite capable of that... HAHAHA...

yes! One fine day...

-

After that my dad brought me for supper at Newton Circles... I faithfully ordered the same thing again..

-

I will love you... =) Until my dying days...

Have been meeting my dad for lunches for the past 3 days... It's quite nice to be together even if it's just plain eating... Actually I don't talk much cos most of the time, nothing quite intrigue me to the extent that I want to talk about it... Hahaha... But of course I always enjoy meaningful dicussions/sharing or friendly debates where one's opinions are expressed... Unrestrictedly.

-

Met dear Bird for dinner yesterday hahaha.. Actually I nearly cancelled it cos I thought I wouldn't master the piano piece I'm supposed to 'present' tmr... But thankfully, I had time to practise before that... It seemed like I haven't gone out with her for ages. Hahaha.. It was a great time with her! Hehehe.. Very looking forward to end of this month hehehehehehe.... =)

The Bold and the Beautiful

Had a great lunch with MengChing ytd! And yes, it was also my first time telling someone so many of my SECRETS all at once... Lol. Maybe around 90%.. The other 10% may be because it didn't come across my mind...

She told me her stuff too and we were both encouraged. It's difficult to find a 'good ground' to 'sow' your 'seeds' isn't it. And I'm really grateful for her... She's one tough and courageous girl (or 'intrepid' - a word I just learnt hehe) who will put many guys to shame. Oops. I'm quite blunt... Sometimes... =)

Look how far God has brought us. Let's never ever let go of His hand... I always say this prayer "God, thank You for bringing me this far... I am nothing without You..." And I really mean it from the bottom of my heart. Though it's been over-said already...

Today's Children's Day but I gave tuition anyway. (Eh rhyme! Hahaha.. *whatever*) I think English is the most boring thing to teach. I mean, to improve you simply gotta read more and check up the dictionary more... I don't know what's there to teach... So I just went through their assessment books and explained their mistakes...

LOL.. At one point I came up with these 4 words and asked them to differentiate them..

- though
- through
- thought
- thorough

Haha!! Goodness. When you see them all at once... They suddenly don't appear to be English. Lol.. Stare longer at those...! Haha. Or maybe it's only me...

Anyway, hmmm, there was a twist today. While teaching, Vivian's mum came out and ask about the fee... When is the next time she has to pay... How much am I charging next year... And then she caught me off guard when she began to tell me about her family situation... I knew all along that she is a single parent but of course I don't question further. Tonight it came to light... She told me about her husband and how tough it is to raise up her family by herself...

She turned to Vivian and told her to "better study hard and get into U..." that she works very hard to support them... A mother's selfless love unfolded right before my eyes and I was really moved... I wished I could get to know more about her though... She's always the strong one in the house...

At the end of the day, it's hard not to wonder... "What happened to the men?"

Well, that's another story... But of course that is a sweeping statement... I mean, there are still a few nice ones around...

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear..."